The Durban University of Technology’s Nursing Department recently held a first year students’ parents meeting at the Indumiso Campus.
The last parents meeting was held in 2012, however, the team at the Nursing Department saw a need to revive these annual parents meeting with first year students parents in order to help parents to understand their children’s journeys and to further assist with academic development of students.
According to Mrs Nompumelelo Xaba, first year level Coordinator and Lecturer, the meeting was attended by 75% of the parents along with other nursing staff and supported by the DUT housing department and protection services. “We were pleased with the turnout; it is good to see parents taking an initiative to work with us in the development of their children. The meeting consisted of presentations from first years and robust discussions. Both parents and students felt that there is a great need for continuous communication between all parties,” said Xaba.
Some of the topics that were discussed during the meeting include parents involvement in checking the progress of their children, clinical placements, student progression rules, South African Nursing Council hours, important clinical dates, extended curricula programme and parent-lecturer relations.
Rowan Govender, a first year student did a presentation on hypertension and some students had a performance highlighting what they have learnt so far.
Addressing parents, lecturers and students, first year Nursing student, Osline Ndlovu thanked the University for engaging their parents on their journey at DUT. She further highlighted the importance of student progress and the need to support each other during this period. “We are here to get an education and finish in record time, however, that cannot be possible with us misbehaving or lacking support from both our parents and lecturers. If the University and our parents continue to work together, we promise to make them proud and obtain our degrees as expected,” said Ndlovu.
In her closing remarks, Head of Department, Dr Thembelihle Ngxongo thanked all the parents, students, nursing department staff and the various DUT departments for their work in making sure that such a meeting took place and in assisting her department with developing students. Furthermore, she encouraged students to excel in their studies.
Pictured: Rowan Govender (student), Zamalotshwa Manyoni (student), Mrs Nompumelelo Xaba (1st year level Coordinator and lecturer), Nontsaso Mbele (student) and Simphiwe Masuku (student).
Noxolo Memela/Nompumelelo Xaba
